Injuries hindered Lee's progress at Under-23 level last season but Luhukay liked what he saw on the training ground and made it clear to Wednesday's hierarchy he wanted to keep hold of the Sunderland-born player.

Lee agreed a new two-year contract last May and has since been promoted to Luhukay's first-team set-up.

He said: "I played a couple of games for the 23s last year and the gaffer seemed to be impressed and from pre-season he had me in with the first-team all the time.

Wednesday manager Jos Luhukay

"He spoke to me and said I've got a great chance here so just keep going. He has been top drawer.

"On the training pitch, he will give you pointers about a player and at half time (against Wolves) he was telling me what I was doing well and what will help my game improve. He is great."

It was Luhukay who decided to alter Lee's position, switching him from a centre-back into a central midfield.

"I was filling in in centre midfield for the U23s when I was coming back from injury and the manager seemed to like to me there and since then I have stuck playing there," said Lee, a tall, rangy young man. "I enjoy it in midfield.

"I’m comfortable playing in midfield and centre back.

"I prefer playing in midfield but will play wherever I'm needed.

"It gives you more strings to your bow and helps you to understand the game more when you play more positions.

"When I play centre-back, I know what the midfielders need to do and vice-versa. It makes everybody's job easier."